Mike Stuart – Page 2 – Enemy Held Territory

A Thousand Days of Agony

A Thousand Days of Agony: My Journey Through Pain, Loss, and Resilience This excerpt details a veteran’s harrowing experience with medical negligence, focusing on a botched spinal fusion surgery and the subsequent inadequate care received from the Veterans Affairs (VA). The author recounts the initial surgical error, the prolonged delay in addressing complications, and the resulting severe physical … Read more

The story behind the 3D Model of My Spine

by Mike Stuart

I never imagined a routine spine surgery would become the catalyst for years of suffering and a fight for medical justice. In August 2021, I trusted my surgeon and the VA healthcare system to fix a relatively straightforward spinal problem. Instead, I woke up to what would become a nightmare – though I wouldn’t understand … Read more

Audio Interview with a VA Spine Patient

by Mike Stuart

This interview details a veteran’s complex medical history, focusing on a series of back surgeries and their complications. Multiple medical records document the surgeries, their failures, resulting disabilities, and the ongoing struggle to receive appropriate VA disability compensation. The discussion includes various medical reports, imaging results, and communication with VA staff regarding the veteran’s care and claim. The veteran’s account highlights alleged negligence by the VA and the need for corrective surgeries. Finally, there are forms related to filing a claim for compensation, demonstrating the bureaucratic process involved.

Read Comprehensive Guide for Spinal Surgery

Reference

Deny and Defend: Systemic Failures in VA Healthcare

by Mike Stuart

The “Deny and Defend” approach in healthcare refers to a traditional strategy where medical institutions deny responsibility for errors, adopt a defensive legal posture, and avoid transparency in communicating with patients and families. While increasingly criticized in modern healthcare for its detrimental effects, this approach continues to harm veterans in the VA healthcare system and … Read more

Update on my VA SF95 Claim

by Mike Stuart

My Federal Tort Claim (SF95) My Federal Tort Claim filed against the Dallas VA Medical Center for medical negligence. The claim centers on the VA’s two-year delay in addressing documented loose pedicle screws following spinal surgery, which ultimately resulted in permanent spinal ankylosis. Stuart argues that the VA’s failure to act on their own imaging … Read more

Retired Colonel US Air Force Witness Statement

by Mike Stuart

This letter from a retired US Air Force Colonel strongly supports Michael’s disability claim (38 USC 1151) filed with the VA. He describes witnessing Michael’s debilitating decline following surgery in 2021, highlighting the stark contrast between Michael’s pre- and post-operative states and expressing deep concern over the VA’s inadequate response. The letter emphasizes the family’s disappointment with … Read more

Bureaucracy at the VA is mission impossible

by Mike Stuart

The ginormous scale and bureaucracy of the VA system can make enacting change feel like an impossible mission. The layers of administration, the culture of inertia, and the sheer number of stakeholders involved can discourage even the most determined advocates. But history has shown that change, even within massive systems, often starts small—with individuals raising … Read more